GB2178731A

GB2178731A - Valve for container outlet

Info

Publication number: GB2178731A
Application number: GB08519448A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ivan Semenenko
Original assignee: MATERIAL CONTROL ENG Ltd
Current assignee: MATERIAL CONTROL ENG Ltd
Priority date: 1985-08-02
Filing date: 1985-08-02
Publication date: 1987-02-18
Also published as: GB2178731B; GB8519448D0

Abstract

The invention relates to a valve 1 for installation at the outlet of a bin, silo, I.B.C. or the like, comprises a member in the form of an inverted metal cone 2 adapted to close the outlet 3 in one position, a bellows means 4 to move the cone 2 from the one position to another position in which the outlet 3 is open, or partially so, for flow of material round the cone 2 (past its peripheral free edge 5) through the outlet 3, and means 6 to vary the inflation of the bellows 4 whereby a vibration is imparted to the cone 2 thereby to enhance flow of material through the outlet 3. The means 6 to vary the inflation of the bellows includes an inlet 7 through which gas pressure to the bellows 4 can be varied, to apply low amplitude and high frequency vibrations to the cone 2. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Valve The invention relates to valves, and in particular to valve apparatus for installation at the outlet of a bin, silo, I.B.C. or the like store of flowable non-fluid material. By "non-fluid" is meant a material which is not a liquid or a gas, but which includes viscous materials such as slurries.

According to the invention there is provided valve apparatus for installation at the outlet of a bin, silo, I.B.C. or the like, comprising a member adapted to close the outlet in one position, a bellows means to move the member from the one position to another position in which the outlet is open, or partially so, for flow of material round the member through the outlet, and means to vary the inflation of the bellows whereby a vibration is imparted to the member thereby to enhance flow of material through the outlet.

The means to vary the inflation of the bellows may be adapted to apply low amplitude and high frequency vibrations to the member.

The member may be retained in position by complementary locking means thereof and of the outlet.

The complementary locking means may comprise a lug carried by the member and a shoulder of the outlet, the arrangement being such that the lug and shoulder lock when there is relative rotation between the outlet and the member of less than one revolution.

Preferably the member may be rotated through substantially 90" to effect locking.

Valve apparatus embodying the invention is hereinafter described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 is a part sectional side elevation of the valve apparatus according to the invention; Figure 2 is a section on line X-X of Fig. 1; Figure 3 is a section on line Y-Y of Fig. 1; Figure 4 is a side elevational view of part of the apparatus of Fig. 1; and Figure 5 is a view in the direction of arrow 'A' in Fig. 4.

Referring to the drawings there is shown valve apparatus 1 for installation at the outlet of a bin, silo, I.B.C. or the like, comprising a member in the form of an inverted metal cone 2 adapted to close the outlet 3 in one position, as shown in Fig. 1, a bellows means 4 to move the cone 2 from the one position to another position in which the outlet 3 is open, or partially so, for flow of material round the cone 2 (past its peripheral free edge 5) through the outlet 3, and means 6 to vary the inflation of the bellows 4 whereby a vibration is imparted to the cone 2 thereby to enhance flow of material through the outlet 3.

The means 6 to vary the inflation of the bellows includes an inlet 7 through which gas pressure to the bellows 4 can be varied, to apply low amplitude and high frequency vibrations to the cone 2.

The cone 2 itself is secured as by welding to a rigid cross-bar 8 which is itself welded or otherwise secured to a tube 9, the bottom (as viewed) of which carries two parallel, spaced lugs 10 which form with shoulders 11 of a rod 12, complementary locking means whereby the cone 2 is retained in position and cannot be unintentionally removed. The rod 12 is mounted through a hole in a cross-frame 13 of the apparatus 1, secured between opposite points on the body 15 of the outlet 3 and is secured in position by a nut 16 on a screw threaded end 17, the nut 16 being tightened up against the underside (as viewed) of the cross-bearing 13. In this position the shoulders 11 are clear of the upper surface of the cross-frame 13 (as viewed). The upper end of the rod 12 carries a boss 18 with opposite parallel flats 19.The cone 2 is assembled by aligning the lugs 10 with the flats 19 and lowering the tube 9, with the cone 2, over the rod 12, the flats acting as a guide.

When the tube 9 is fully lowered, the lugs 10 are just below and at 90 to the shoulders 11. The cone 2 is then rotated through 90" so that the lugs 10 engage under the shoulders 11, securely to retain the cone 2 in position.

There is resilient means such as a disc spring 20 which engages between the rod 12 and tube 9 to absorb uneven loads imposed during opening.

In use, assuming the apparatus 1 is in a bin, to raise the cone 2 from the one, closed, position shown, air under pressure is admitted through the inlet 7 to inflate the bellows 4 thus to raise the cone 2. The bellows 4 can be raised fully, or partially. In either case, an annular gap is formed between the free or peripheral edge 5 of the cone 2 and material in the bin flows through the gap over the cone and past the peripheral edge thereof through the outlet. If there is bridging or difficulty of flow because the material is sticky, or tacky or otherwise, the compressed air from the inlet 7 can be varied in pressure, to provide a low amplitude high frequency vibration, which vibrates the cone, and thus the material, similarly, to enhance the flow of the material.

It will be understood that the variation in pressure can be applied either at the top of the lift of the bellows 4, or when the bellows is partially inflated from the one position.

The cone may have a plastic seal 21 at the peripheral edge 5 of the cone. Also, the actual lift can be varied by using a height adjuster like the nut 22 and washer to raise or lower the rod 12, as shown in Fig. 3.

1. Apparatus for installation at the outlet of a bin, silo, I.B.C. or the like, comprising a

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Valve The invention relates to valves, and in particular to valve apparatus for installation at the outlet of a bin, silo, I.B.C. or the like store of flowable non-fluid material. By "non-fluid" is meant a material which is not a liquid or a gas, but which includes viscous materials such as slurries. According to the invention there is provided valve apparatus for installation at the outlet of a bin, silo, I.B.C. or the like, comprising a member adapted to close the outlet in one position, a bellows means to move the member from the one position to another position in which the outlet is open, or partially so, for flow of material round the member through the outlet, and means to vary the inflation of the bellows whereby a vibration is imparted to the member thereby to enhance flow of material through the outlet. The means to vary the inflation of the bellows may be adapted to apply low amplitude and high frequency vibrations to the member. The member may be retained in position by complementary locking means thereof and of the outlet. The complementary locking means may comprise a lug carried by the member and a shoulder of the outlet, the arrangement being such that the lug and shoulder lock when there is relative rotation between the outlet and the member of less than one revolution. Preferably the member may be rotated through substantially 90" to effect locking. Valve apparatus embodying the invention is hereinafter described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings. Figure 1 is a part sectional side elevation of the valve apparatus according to the invention; Figure 2 is a section on line X-X of Fig. 1; Figure 3 is a section on line Y-Y of Fig. 1; Figure 4 is a side elevational view of part of the apparatus of Fig. 1; and Figure 5 is a view in the direction of arrow 'A' in Fig. 4. Referring to the drawings there is shown valve apparatus 1 for installation at the outlet of a bin, silo, I.B.C. or the like, comprising a member in the form of an inverted metal cone 2 adapted to close the outlet 3 in one position, as shown in Fig. 1, a bellows means 4 to move the cone 2 from the one position to another position in which the outlet 3 is open, or partially so, for flow of material round the cone 2 (past its peripheral free edge 5) through the outlet 3, and means 6 to vary the inflation of the bellows 4 whereby a vibration is imparted to the cone 2 thereby to enhance flow of material through the outlet 3. The means 6 to vary the inflation of the bellows includes an inlet 7 through which gas pressure to the bellows 4 can be varied, to apply low amplitude and high frequency vibrations to the cone 2. The cone 2 itself is secured as by welding to a rigid cross-bar 8 which is itself welded or otherwise secured to a tube 9, the bottom (as viewed) of which carries two parallel, spaced lugs 10 which form with shoulders 11 of a rod 12, complementary locking means whereby the cone 2 is retained in position and cannot be unintentionally removed. The rod 12 is mounted through a hole in a cross-frame 13 of the apparatus 1, secured between opposite points on the body 15 of the outlet 3 and is secured in position by a nut 16 on a screw threaded end 17, the nut 16 being tightened up against the underside (as viewed) of the cross-bearing 13. In this position the shoulders 11 are clear of the upper surface of the cross-frame 13 (as viewed). The upper end of the rod 12 carries a boss 18 with opposite parallel flats 19.The cone 2 is assembled by aligning the lugs 10 with the flats 19 and lowering the tube 9, with the cone 2, over the rod 12, the flats acting as a guide. When the tube 9 is fully lowered, the lugs 10 are just below and at 90 to the shoulders 11. The cone 2 is then rotated through 90" so that the lugs 10 engage under the shoulders 11, securely to retain the cone 2 in position. There is resilient means such as a disc spring 20 which engages between the rod 12 and tube 9 to absorb uneven loads imposed during opening. In use, assuming the apparatus 1 is in a bin, to raise the cone 2 from the one, closed, position shown, air under pressure is admitted through the inlet 7 to inflate the bellows 4 thus to raise the cone 2. The bellows 4 can be raised fully, or partially. In either case, an annular gap is formed between the free or peripheral edge 5 of the cone 2 and material in the bin flows through the gap over the cone and past the peripheral edge thereof through the outlet. If there is bridging or difficulty of flow because the material is sticky, or tacky or otherwise, the compressed air from the inlet 7 can be varied in pressure, to provide a low amplitude high frequency vibration, which vibrates the cone, and thus the material, similarly, to enhance the flow of the material. It will be understood that the variation in pressure can be applied either at the top of the lift of the bellows 4, or when the bellows is partially inflated from the one position. The cone may have a plastic seal 21 at the peripheral edge 5 of the cone. Also, the actual lift can be varied by using a height adjuster like the nut 22 and washer to raise or lower the rod 12, as shown in Fig. 3. CLAIMS

1. Apparatus for installation at the outlet of a bin, silo, I.B.C. or the like, comprising a member adapted to close the outlet in one position, a bellows means to move the member from the one position to another position in which the outlet is open, or partially so, for flow of material round the member through the outlet, and means to vary the inflation of the bellows whereby a vibration is imparted to the member thereby to enhance flow of material through the outlet.

2. Apparatus according to Claim 1, the means to vary the inflation of the bellows being adapted to apply low amplitude and high frequency vibrations to the member.

3. Apparatus according to Claim 2, the member being retained in position by complementary locking means thereof and of the outlet.

4. Apparatus according to Claim 3, the complementary locking means comprising a lug carried by the member and a shoulder of the outlet, the arrangement being such that the lug and shoulder lock when there is relative rotation between the outlet and the member of less than one revolution.

5. Apparatus according to Claim 4, the member being rotated through substantially 90 to effect locking.

6. Apparatus for installation at the outlet of a bin, silo, I.B.C. or the like, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.